Small-scale wind energy, often referred to as microgeneration, enables homes, farms, businesses and public facilities to off-set all or a portion of on-site electricity consumption. By generating their own electricity, small-scale generators are able to reduce emissions and reduce electricity costs. Additionally, in some provinces, small-scale generators can also get a credit for every kilowatt-hour generated but not used.
Small-scale wind turbines are very different than larger utility-scale wind turbines which are often grouped in wind farms and widely used by utilities and other power producers across Canada. Small-scale turbines are much smaller in size.
A small-scale wind turbine can be connected to the electricity grid through your power provider or it can stand alone (off-grid). This makes wind energy an option for remote communities that are not connected to the provincial or territorial grid. In fact, the use of wind energy in remote areas can often help reduce the use of diesel generators, saving fuel costs and reducing pollution.
Several provinces have programs for individuals and businesses who want to generate using small-scale or microgeneration wind turbines. Visit the links below for further information.
Learn More
- The Distributed Wind Energy Association is a U.S.-based association, which supports the needs of smaller-scale wind projects with a significant element of local ownership and electricity use.
Useful Links
- Alberta Government – Community Generation Program supporting the installation of locally-generated electricity projects.
- Alberta Utilities Commission – Generate your own electricity.
- BC Hydro – Generating your own electricity
- Ontario Energy Board – Information for renewable generators
- New Brunswick Power – Embedded generation
- Nova Scotia Power – view Community Feed-in Tariff projects on interactive map.
- Maritime Electric – Understanding net metering for renewable energy generators up to 100 kW in size
